The Midwest Conference Swimming and Diving Preseason Coaches Polls were recently released and the Lake Forest men were predicted to capture their third straight conference title while the Foresters were listed second on the women's side.
Voting is done by the MWC head swimming and diving coaches. Each coach votes for the eight other schools in the conference in order of predicted finish. Points are assigned in reverse order of voting (seven points for first, six for second, etc.). Coaches may not vote for their own teams.
The Forester men ended Grinnell College's 12-year run atop the league in 2014 and repeated as conference champions last year. The women have been the runner-up to Grinnell at each of the last three MWC Championships after claiming the title in 2012.
Lake Forest will open the season with a dual meet against visiting Carthage College on Friday, October 30, at 6:00 p.m. The 2016 MWC Championships will be hosted by Grinnell College February 19-21.
Men's Poll
| Place | Team (1st place votes) | Points |
| 1 | Lake Forest College (8) | 64 |
| 2 | Grinnell College | 57 |
| 3 | Carroll University |
50 |
| 4 | Monmouth College | 43 |
| 5 | Ripon College | 31 |
| 6 | Beloit College | 27 |
| 7 | Lawrence University | 22 |
| 8 | Illinois College | 20 |
| 9 | Knox College | 10 |
Women's Poll
| Place | Team | Points |
| 1 | Grinnell College | 63 |
| 2 | Lake Forest College | 57 |
| 3 | Carroll University |
51 |
| 4 | Lawrence University | 42 |
| 5 | Monmouth College | 36 |
| 6 | Ripon College | 30 |
| 7 | Knox College | 21 |
| 8 | Beloit College | 14 |
| 9 | Illinois College | 10 |